I got my start in a management career before going to college and without any
previous managerial experience. I was answering phones in a cubicle when a
supervisory position opened up at work. I applied, but was competing for the job
against people who had more seniority and experience than me. However, I got the
promotion because of other factors that bosses
take into consideration, and you can do the same thing.

Exceptions to the required experience listed on a job description are made all
the time, which allows "unqualified" people to advance. That's because there are
many intangible qualities bosses are looking for as well. Here are 5 things that
are just as important as experience when it comes to getting
promoted at work.

1. Getting to work on time.
Nothing irks a boss more than you showing up late. Consistently show up late and
your boss is going to start to believe it is a poor reflection of your work
ethic, personal responsibility, and commitment to your job. Showing up 10
minutes early each day is by far the easiest way to stand out from the crowd and
will be remembered when its time for interviews.

You can also craft a positive image for yourself at work by staying 5 minutes
late each day. Many employees seem to move the fastest 3-5 minutes BEFORE the
end of their shift and then look like Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt running from
the building at quitting time. That can send a variety of messages, such as they
HATE their job. Stick around for 5 minutes and it could be just you and the boss
standing there. Guess who looks like the hardest worker now?

2. Sitting up front.
While most people want to get as far away from the boss as possible because they
want more privacy or want to avoid scrutiny, you should look for any opportunity
to keep yourself and your work area right in front of her. Understand that by
placing yourself directly in front of the boss you are giving yourself an
advantage no other
promotion hungry co-worker will have. The boss
will have a chance to see your optimum performance every day, and during your
interview will easily recall having seen your hard work for herself.

3. Treating work like work.
Paper airplanes, flying rubber bands, bouncing balls, pranks, elaborate jokes,
gags, and silly magic tricks don't have a place in a professional's work life.
If they are in your work life, get rid of them immediately. If they are in your
co-worker's work life, avoid it like the plague. Sure, there are stories of
BOSSES who act like work is a playground, but they are the exception.

Just as you find in all walks of life, people react to you based on the image
and behavior you project. Your mom said it best "If you are going to act like a
5 year old, I am going to treat you like a 5 year old." When its your turn to be
interviewed for a promotion do you want the
reputation of the class clown or a class act?

4. Being likeable.
Perhaps, the most important aspect of getting a promotion (or job offer)
is if the hiring manager likes you. Hiring managers want to hire someone
they feel comfortable with and feel a connection to. You should treat
every day at work as a networking and relationship building opportunity.
You can do that by being friendly and being a friend.

Show an interest in others. Get involved, smile, laugh, and be a team
player. The friends you make along the way will gladly do their part to
help you get promoted or meet the right people to help your career along.

5. Not complaining.
The room is too hot, the water cooler is too cold, the lunch breaks are
too short, and the days are too long. You can bet the boss hears it all,
and you are not the only one complaining. The workplace is full of
complainers. Eventually, the complaining begins wears on the boss and she
will naturally want to either avoid the complainers or find a way to
remove them. Surely, the boss will not want to
promote a complainer.

Instead of complaining tell the boss thank you. Find reasons to thank her
several times a week. Thank the boss for the training, feedback, or new
assignments you receive. Be recognized as a thankful contributor instead
of a complainer and you will make it easy for the boss to
offer you the promotion.

So we have talked about 5 simple ways to ensure you are the person at work
that gets the available promotion. Are there also real simple ways to
sabotage your chance at the promotion? There sure are! Here are 5 great
ways to never get hired,
promoted, or a decent pay raise.

1. Smell like cigarette smoke or heavy perfume.
2. Have poor appearance. For example, dog hair all over your clothes.
3. Be fidgety like a small child with an inability to focus on simple
tasks.
4. Think that being silly or immature at work is ok or even cool. Trying
to attract attention to oneself.
5. Treat work like it is your therapists office. Discus sensitive,
uncouth, or personal issues out loud for everyone to hear.